I was invited by my friend Tallyia last night to a wine tasting by the Trialto wine group.
Going into it as a chef, I was hoping to taste some wines that would pair up with food in ways I hadnt imagined. What I wasn't expecting was to taste a wine and for the first time, be able to identify the country, region, and grape along with its vintage. But for the first time I recognized the canadian old vine riesling from the Okanagen valley in BC Canada.
Don't forget that I have visited wine regions and a few hundred wineries the last year when I was away in Europe, and although I was surprised to see only a few European wines (France, Italy and Portugal), they each had their own distinct flavour that definitely brought back good memories from my trip.
It was fun mingling, sharing opinions about the wine with fellow wine lovers in the crowd, but when I tasted a gerwertz from our own backyard in Niagara, probably the biggest smile broke out on my face, and I was speechless. The wine reminded me of a small cave in the center of a small town in Alsace called Ribeauville where when I went into the winery, the wine makers wife asked me which kind of wine I liked. When I explained I like mostly fruity, sweet wines, she said I didnt like it, but had to try something else. She poured me a glass of wine, and only after the first sip did I become so happy and excited did she tell me what it was. An old vine Riesling. I was so elated, that I baught a few bottles to bring back home with me. This Gewerrtz from Ravine Vineyard a barely two year old winery brought me back to my time in France and I was literally speechless. What makes these two wines so special? The wine makers dont play around with the grapes so much, they let the grape do the talking for themselves, and what shines through is in my opinion the two best white wines I have ever tasted.
All the above shouldnt put a damper on some of the other wines like the cabernet rose from Southbrook vineyards, where once again the wine maker lets the grape do the talking. The Renacer MAlbec from Argentina, the Port from Quinta do Vale Meao in Portugal near the spanish border, to mention a few. Although 85% of the wines that I tasted I would reccomend to buy the above mentioned wines are the ones that stand out for me from the 16 wineries showcased last night.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Executive Chef
Yes I am back, and I am now completing my first month as Executive Chef at the Restaurant at Palace Pier. I have trasnformed the restaurant into a fresh food establishment. I order everything fresh, and use seasonal vegetables. I have been invited to wine tastings from Louis Latour in France and Tastings the wines have brought me back to my days in france.
I am 3 weeks into my job, After a smashing Ferragosta week, which was an entire Italian menu. We unveiled our 6 week menu, and it has been so far very succesfull. My favourite dish is the scallops dish with chickpeas rattatouille and beaurre blanc nantes.
I am 3 weeks into my job, After a smashing Ferragosta week, which was an entire Italian menu. We unveiled our 6 week menu, and it has been so far very succesfull. My favourite dish is the scallops dish with chickpeas rattatouille and beaurre blanc nantes.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Way to end with a BANG!!!
BEANS BEANS BEANS...oh what to say about the beans...oh I know...I had it for breakfast lunch and dinner...well almost at least..it felt like it. We woke up at 930 but left the hotel at around 11, got a small bite to eat for breakie but within an 2 hours we were hungry for lunch. So we went looking for a restaurant to eat. I was looking for cassoulet but jessica was craving pizza. So we dcided we would go for pizza first, and I would have a slice of her pizza and then she would sit through my lunch and nibble on the beans from my cassoulet. Yes I was eating cassoulet again to compare the two restuarants. So that is how things went. We then went on and took the tourist train around the city. No crazy people to encounter today, but got some wierd looks from the people in the park. Oh well too bad.
We were tired, so we made a choice to eaither go see a movie or take a nap. We went to see Leonardo DiCaprios new movie. It was a very complicated film, and after we went to a restaurant we thought we made reservations for...turns out they were closed until middle of August....ooops so we went to the other restaurant where we were supposed to go to last night, and we had some very good food. I had cassoulet yet again and it was by far the better one that I have eaten. I also had foie gras again, but I still prefer goose foie gras.
We walked back to our hotel and we wake up early tomorrow morning for our train back to paris, where I have to pick up my other suitcase, repack and then head to the airport first thing early Wednesday morning. We will try to bring back Pastries, however I cant guarentee it...I might eat them on the plane.
Otherwise, we will hopefully blog tomorrow night before our flight.
Yehuda and Jessica
We were tired, so we made a choice to eaither go see a movie or take a nap. We went to see Leonardo DiCaprios new movie. It was a very complicated film, and after we went to a restaurant we thought we made reservations for...turns out they were closed until middle of August....ooops so we went to the other restaurant where we were supposed to go to last night, and we had some very good food. I had cassoulet yet again and it was by far the better one that I have eaten. I also had foie gras again, but I still prefer goose foie gras.
We walked back to our hotel and we wake up early tomorrow morning for our train back to paris, where I have to pick up my other suitcase, repack and then head to the airport first thing early Wednesday morning. We will try to bring back Pastries, however I cant guarentee it...I might eat them on the plane.
Otherwise, we will hopefully blog tomorrow night before our flight.
Yehuda and Jessica
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Seriously?? on the plus side...mmm Cassoulet
Hi everyone,
we are heading into our last day as part of our vacation since tuesday most of the day we are travelling and packing in Paris, so tomorrow is officially our last vacation day, which also means,......sorry people but hoodas coming home!! Now I know how much everyone missed me...lol just kidding. I am really happy to be coming home, and I am really thankfull to Jessica for letting me do this trip, and supporting me through these last 10 months. And of course thanks to everyoen for your support as well.
Anyways today was an ok day. We woke up around 9ish and headed out in search of a cafe for breakfast. we found one and ate outside, and gave me a sad feeling knowing I am leaving all that for the smog of Toronto..lol. But we sat outside, Jessica had a mushroom omelette, and I had something I wanted to eat since I came to France. I had a Croque Madame, which is basically a ham and cheese sandwich with a egg sunny side up on top. It was really good.
We then headed back to the hotel, packed our stuff yet again and checked out. We went to the train station and waited for our train. We read and when my book was done I worked on my resume, and business plan for my restaurant.
I worked some estimates, based on what I have read and spoken to people, so I have better composites for my meetings next week.
When we arrived we walked all of 4 minutes to the hotel, and checked in. The guy (who I think owns the place) was very nice, gave us a slightly larger room, as well as let us print off our train tickets for Tuesdays train ride back to Paris.
We headed out to go to the tourist office, but it had just closed ten minutes earlier, so we decided to walk to the water. We walked around, saw a dead body, we think the guy jumped, as he was in a body bag, and there was blood on the boardwalk. We quickly walked away and went to the "beach". Now when you picture a beach you see, sand (or rocks in some places) water as far as the eye can see, large majestic waves, the sound of the ocean the smell of the salt...and yet there wasnt any of that at all at the "Beach" here!! It was grassy area with lawn chairs set out over looking the river. Far cry from a beach if you ask me.
Well we then decided to go back to the city center to maybe watch a film before heading for dinner. There was one film in English, and we wanted to enjoy dinner. So we headed to a restaurant that was reccomended to us, but was closed because its sunday, so we went back to a restaurant called Maison de Cassoulet. Now to me, that sounds like the place knows what they are doing when it comes to Cassoulet. And I was not dissapointed. I ordered the cassoulet meal, which was duck foie gras for starters, and cassoulet for main course.
And now for the "Seriously?? part of the name in the title".
We were sitting right next to a table where there were two couples. Let me set the stage for you. One older couple (american) and the second couple which was younger (French). The younger female didnt look like she spoke much english. Well the older Gentleman (american) talked so loud and so much, and there were alot of things that were beign said that made me want to turn around and correct what was being said at the table, but it wasnt my place, so instead of biting my tongue I stuffed my mouth with bread. Its tough to fully describe, but after we left the restaurant I said to JEssica, we just had a dinner and a show. IT was more funny than anything else.
Then as we were walking, we were aproached by a woman for the second time tonight and asked us for money. Being polite we said, "sorry but we dont have any money". She screamed at us to go away, and something about only saying sorry to someone in the hospital. Didnt really get it, but we walked away, confirming our suspicions that Toulouse is a slightly bizzare city.
We are now back in the hotel planning for tomorrow.
We'll blog tomorrow
Nighty o
Yehuda and Jessica
we are heading into our last day as part of our vacation since tuesday most of the day we are travelling and packing in Paris, so tomorrow is officially our last vacation day, which also means,......sorry people but hoodas coming home!! Now I know how much everyone missed me...lol just kidding. I am really happy to be coming home, and I am really thankfull to Jessica for letting me do this trip, and supporting me through these last 10 months. And of course thanks to everyoen for your support as well.
Anyways today was an ok day. We woke up around 9ish and headed out in search of a cafe for breakfast. we found one and ate outside, and gave me a sad feeling knowing I am leaving all that for the smog of Toronto..lol. But we sat outside, Jessica had a mushroom omelette, and I had something I wanted to eat since I came to France. I had a Croque Madame, which is basically a ham and cheese sandwich with a egg sunny side up on top. It was really good.
We then headed back to the hotel, packed our stuff yet again and checked out. We went to the train station and waited for our train. We read and when my book was done I worked on my resume, and business plan for my restaurant.
I worked some estimates, based on what I have read and spoken to people, so I have better composites for my meetings next week.
When we arrived we walked all of 4 minutes to the hotel, and checked in. The guy (who I think owns the place) was very nice, gave us a slightly larger room, as well as let us print off our train tickets for Tuesdays train ride back to Paris.
We headed out to go to the tourist office, but it had just closed ten minutes earlier, so we decided to walk to the water. We walked around, saw a dead body, we think the guy jumped, as he was in a body bag, and there was blood on the boardwalk. We quickly walked away and went to the "beach". Now when you picture a beach you see, sand (or rocks in some places) water as far as the eye can see, large majestic waves, the sound of the ocean the smell of the salt...and yet there wasnt any of that at all at the "Beach" here!! It was grassy area with lawn chairs set out over looking the river. Far cry from a beach if you ask me.
Well we then decided to go back to the city center to maybe watch a film before heading for dinner. There was one film in English, and we wanted to enjoy dinner. So we headed to a restaurant that was reccomended to us, but was closed because its sunday, so we went back to a restaurant called Maison de Cassoulet. Now to me, that sounds like the place knows what they are doing when it comes to Cassoulet. And I was not dissapointed. I ordered the cassoulet meal, which was duck foie gras for starters, and cassoulet for main course.
And now for the "Seriously?? part of the name in the title".
We were sitting right next to a table where there were two couples. Let me set the stage for you. One older couple (american) and the second couple which was younger (French). The younger female didnt look like she spoke much english. Well the older Gentleman (american) talked so loud and so much, and there were alot of things that were beign said that made me want to turn around and correct what was being said at the table, but it wasnt my place, so instead of biting my tongue I stuffed my mouth with bread. Its tough to fully describe, but after we left the restaurant I said to JEssica, we just had a dinner and a show. IT was more funny than anything else.
Then as we were walking, we were aproached by a woman for the second time tonight and asked us for money. Being polite we said, "sorry but we dont have any money". She screamed at us to go away, and something about only saying sorry to someone in the hospital. Didnt really get it, but we walked away, confirming our suspicions that Toulouse is a slightly bizzare city.
We are now back in the hotel planning for tomorrow.
We'll blog tomorrow
Nighty o
Yehuda and Jessica
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Chocolate waves
Hi from Bayonne,
Where did we leave off? oh ya, sleeping! hahaha Today we woke up early and went to the farmers market here. It was along the water and had a lot of people selling fruits and veggies they grow themselves. Very nice to see! We bought some fruit for the day, a small basque cake and some olives for yehuda. We then tried again to go to the chocolate factory. We took the bus this time, and got there in the time they said the people would be making the chocolate. We did the tour, saw the machines, saw some workers, but none were really making chocolate. This was a little dissapointing. After the tour, you get to sample chocolate!! TONS AND TONS! We tried different kinds from different areas of the world, and some samples of products the people at the factory make. Man, we were chocolalted out, and we didnt even try everything!! We didnt buy anything because we were going to the beach and the same store has a store in town, selling the same things.
next we took a city bus for 1.20 euros to the beach, in another city nearby called biaritz. The beach was pretty long, we went to the quieter section that had a wall which made shade. The waves were HUGE!! a very popular place for surfing. The beach wasnt as sandy as sitges or as rocky as malaga, it was somewhere in between. We sat and read and then headed into the water. Yehuda had to hold my hand ot make sure i didnt get carried away by the waves. The were the bigges waves either of us has ever swam in! it was a lot of fun but i can still feel the salt up my nose! After some wave jumping, we dried off and relaxed some more before taking the bus back to bayonne for lunch and a rest.
Tonights dinner was similar to last night, with traditional basque food. I again had poulet basquese, with last nights being better, and yehuda had tripe (which he thought was more tongue then what it is supposed ot be, which I am not too sure about, but i think its gross either way) and he had a yummy fish soup to start. No dessert tonight since we had tooooo much chocolate before 11 this morning!
After dinner we walked and sat by the water. We were going to go bowling but werent sure it was open and were not really in the moood in the end.
We had a very nice day though. It was a great weather day, being sunny with a nice breeze and we got to do some fun things. Tomorrow we head out to toulousse for yehuda to have his cassoulet, which he is so excited about. I just hope they have some good chocolate mousse there! hahaha
Bon soir!
Where did we leave off? oh ya, sleeping! hahaha Today we woke up early and went to the farmers market here. It was along the water and had a lot of people selling fruits and veggies they grow themselves. Very nice to see! We bought some fruit for the day, a small basque cake and some olives for yehuda. We then tried again to go to the chocolate factory. We took the bus this time, and got there in the time they said the people would be making the chocolate. We did the tour, saw the machines, saw some workers, but none were really making chocolate. This was a little dissapointing. After the tour, you get to sample chocolate!! TONS AND TONS! We tried different kinds from different areas of the world, and some samples of products the people at the factory make. Man, we were chocolalted out, and we didnt even try everything!! We didnt buy anything because we were going to the beach and the same store has a store in town, selling the same things.
next we took a city bus for 1.20 euros to the beach, in another city nearby called biaritz. The beach was pretty long, we went to the quieter section that had a wall which made shade. The waves were HUGE!! a very popular place for surfing. The beach wasnt as sandy as sitges or as rocky as malaga, it was somewhere in between. We sat and read and then headed into the water. Yehuda had to hold my hand ot make sure i didnt get carried away by the waves. The were the bigges waves either of us has ever swam in! it was a lot of fun but i can still feel the salt up my nose! After some wave jumping, we dried off and relaxed some more before taking the bus back to bayonne for lunch and a rest.
Tonights dinner was similar to last night, with traditional basque food. I again had poulet basquese, with last nights being better, and yehuda had tripe (which he thought was more tongue then what it is supposed ot be, which I am not too sure about, but i think its gross either way) and he had a yummy fish soup to start. No dessert tonight since we had tooooo much chocolate before 11 this morning!
After dinner we walked and sat by the water. We were going to go bowling but werent sure it was open and were not really in the moood in the end.
We had a very nice day though. It was a great weather day, being sunny with a nice breeze and we got to do some fun things. Tomorrow we head out to toulousse for yehuda to have his cassoulet, which he is so excited about. I just hope they have some good chocolate mousse there! hahaha
Bon soir!
Friday, July 23, 2010
bienvenue a la France
YEP WE ARE BACK IN FRANCE... and you have no idea how excited I am to be back here....Its like a long lost home for me even though it has only been three weeks. I think I will be in France withdrawl next week.
To get From San Sebastian to Bayonne, we took two trains, one to the french Spanish border adn the other from the border to Bayonne. It was an easy and short trip.
Upon arriving we walked across a big bridge with lots of flags, some duplicates and some 5 or 6 of the same, even an American, but no Canadian flag. However at the begining of the bridge there was an Israeli flag. We stopped off at my bank on the way to the hotel to tie some loose ends, and they were very helpfull. We checked into the hotel, and then headed out to the post office to mail some stuff to close my bank account and my cell phone. We walked around a bit, and had a small lunch where I had my first experience of basque food when I ordered Pate Basques. It was actually very good, and of course I added mustard, my favourtie condiment. (sorry Gary) Since there wasnt much on the menu for Jessica we asked for a large salad and they happily made it for her with melons, beans and vegetables as her appetizer
Jessicas main course was chocolate mousse...hahaha!!! While I had a BIG bowl of mussels and fries.
We walked then for 30 minutes to the chocolate factory, only to get there and find out the chocolate makers only work in the mornings!!! whats up with that?? Well slightly disappointed, we decided we would come back tomorrow morning when the chocolate makers only work between 9:30 and 10:30 am!!!
We went back for a short nap, and then headed back out on the town to see the city. We walked for a bit, took teh free bus, and saw this beautifull small city. I bought a cookbook from this region, which was signed by the author. While looking for a book, jessica found one of my favourite stores... a stinky cheese store!! And stinky it was, and I was in heaven!! I got to taste some cheese from teh region and bought some for me to snack on.
We continued to walk up and down the steets enjoying the city. We then decided to walk up and down the two sides of the river where most of the resturants are located. We figuered we would wak up one side and down teh otehr and by then we would be able to choose our place for dinner. But each and everyone was one dissapointment after the other to me. My other issue was that since I eat different foods than Jessica and was looking for traditional basque food, Jessica might not like it and thus not enjoy her meal or spend alot of money on food she wont eat. But jessica assured me that since this part of the trip was about me and food that I wanted to continue to learn about and for me to enjoy, it didnt matter to her and I should choose based on what I felt was right. Anyways I wasnt finding what I wanted, so Jessica reccomended asking another local. Only this time he reccomendeda cider place witha 30 euro menu that had 4 options all four of which neither of us even remotely liked.
We didnt stay there. and lucky for us we remembered the list of restaurants n the city adn right next door to our last failure, we found a small 40 seat restaurant owned by husband and wife (wife being the chef, husband working the fron of the house), who cooked traditional BAsque food. We asked for the suggestions and we ended up having a 4 course meal that spanned over 2 hours. For the first time in almost two weeks, Jessica was able to finish almost her entire meal.
Now to analize the meal. We started with a tarte of meat with cheese in a basque sauce. (the description doesnt do teh dish justice, but this is the simplest way to describe it). The flavours,, blended so smoothly from one to the other, nothing overpowering, perfectly seasoned yet such a simple dish.
For apps Jessica had a Smoked salmon Salad and I had Salmon trout tartar with red onion and chives. Again so simple but so amazingly done.
Main course: Jessica had the Poulet Basquaise, (my original entry to basque food). The sauce was so good with just a slight kick from chili peppers, but not nearly overpowering, it actually enhanced teh flavours of the sauce making it a powerfull delicious sauce for the chicken. I had Braised Sheeps Shoulder with a Basque sauce mixed with the cooking reduction. So tender and perfectly seasoned.
For dessert we had the Basque cake (very almondy too much for jessica, borderline for me, although I do love those almonds), and I had this most awesome semi cooked chocolate cake with Creme anglais and whipped cream. It came hot straight from the oven, when we dug into it the chocolate oooooozed out. YUMMY in my tummy.
We were so full we couldnt finish dessert but that was compliments to the chef for all the amazing food.
After dinner I asked to meet with the chef, and we spoke with her, thanking her for the delicious meal. She also gave me her recipe for the chocolate cake.
We walked home along the water (which looked like an oil spill in the night) and are now in bed. Good night
Yehuda and J- Dog
Jessica says although Yehuda wrote this in first person, I put in my two cents..ruff ruff
To get From San Sebastian to Bayonne, we took two trains, one to the french Spanish border adn the other from the border to Bayonne. It was an easy and short trip.
Upon arriving we walked across a big bridge with lots of flags, some duplicates and some 5 or 6 of the same, even an American, but no Canadian flag. However at the begining of the bridge there was an Israeli flag. We stopped off at my bank on the way to the hotel to tie some loose ends, and they were very helpfull. We checked into the hotel, and then headed out to the post office to mail some stuff to close my bank account and my cell phone. We walked around a bit, and had a small lunch where I had my first experience of basque food when I ordered Pate Basques. It was actually very good, and of course I added mustard, my favourtie condiment. (sorry Gary) Since there wasnt much on the menu for Jessica we asked for a large salad and they happily made it for her with melons, beans and vegetables as her appetizer
Jessicas main course was chocolate mousse...hahaha!!! While I had a BIG bowl of mussels and fries.
We walked then for 30 minutes to the chocolate factory, only to get there and find out the chocolate makers only work in the mornings!!! whats up with that?? Well slightly disappointed, we decided we would come back tomorrow morning when the chocolate makers only work between 9:30 and 10:30 am!!!
We went back for a short nap, and then headed back out on the town to see the city. We walked for a bit, took teh free bus, and saw this beautifull small city. I bought a cookbook from this region, which was signed by the author. While looking for a book, jessica found one of my favourite stores... a stinky cheese store!! And stinky it was, and I was in heaven!! I got to taste some cheese from teh region and bought some for me to snack on.
We continued to walk up and down the steets enjoying the city. We then decided to walk up and down the two sides of the river where most of the resturants are located. We figuered we would wak up one side and down teh otehr and by then we would be able to choose our place for dinner. But each and everyone was one dissapointment after the other to me. My other issue was that since I eat different foods than Jessica and was looking for traditional basque food, Jessica might not like it and thus not enjoy her meal or spend alot of money on food she wont eat. But jessica assured me that since this part of the trip was about me and food that I wanted to continue to learn about and for me to enjoy, it didnt matter to her and I should choose based on what I felt was right. Anyways I wasnt finding what I wanted, so Jessica reccomended asking another local. Only this time he reccomendeda cider place witha 30 euro menu that had 4 options all four of which neither of us even remotely liked.
We didnt stay there. and lucky for us we remembered the list of restaurants n the city adn right next door to our last failure, we found a small 40 seat restaurant owned by husband and wife (wife being the chef, husband working the fron of the house), who cooked traditional BAsque food. We asked for the suggestions and we ended up having a 4 course meal that spanned over 2 hours. For the first time in almost two weeks, Jessica was able to finish almost her entire meal.
Now to analize the meal. We started with a tarte of meat with cheese in a basque sauce. (the description doesnt do teh dish justice, but this is the simplest way to describe it). The flavours,, blended so smoothly from one to the other, nothing overpowering, perfectly seasoned yet such a simple dish.
For apps Jessica had a Smoked salmon Salad and I had Salmon trout tartar with red onion and chives. Again so simple but so amazingly done.
Main course: Jessica had the Poulet Basquaise, (my original entry to basque food). The sauce was so good with just a slight kick from chili peppers, but not nearly overpowering, it actually enhanced teh flavours of the sauce making it a powerfull delicious sauce for the chicken. I had Braised Sheeps Shoulder with a Basque sauce mixed with the cooking reduction. So tender and perfectly seasoned.
For dessert we had the Basque cake (very almondy too much for jessica, borderline for me, although I do love those almonds), and I had this most awesome semi cooked chocolate cake with Creme anglais and whipped cream. It came hot straight from the oven, when we dug into it the chocolate oooooozed out. YUMMY in my tummy.
We were so full we couldnt finish dessert but that was compliments to the chef for all the amazing food.
After dinner I asked to meet with the chef, and we spoke with her, thanking her for the delicious meal. She also gave me her recipe for the chocolate cake.
We walked home along the water (which looked like an oil spill in the night) and are now in bed. Good night
Yehuda and J- Dog
Jessica says although Yehuda wrote this in first person, I put in my two cents..ruff ruff
Our last night in Spain
It continued to rain as we headed out for dinner on the town. We walked back into the old city looking for somewhere to eat. After buying some stuff, we asked the store owner (a local) to reccomend a restaurant that locals and not tourists frequent.
He didnt dissapoint us as we walked down the street to the first floor restaurant. It was a delicious meal that jessica and I really enjoyed. I had spanish fish soup and duck in a cream sauce and jessica had a asparagus salad with an awesome vineagrette, and a vegetable stew for main course, and of course jessicas weakness for dessert was cheesecake. It was a very good suggestion and we were happy we asked...truth was it was jessicas idea to ask..so kudos to her.
He didnt dissapoint us as we walked down the street to the first floor restaurant. It was a delicious meal that jessica and I really enjoyed. I had spanish fish soup and duck in a cream sauce and jessica had a asparagus salad with an awesome vineagrette, and a vegetable stew for main course, and of course jessicas weakness for dessert was cheesecake. It was a very good suggestion and we were happy we asked...truth was it was jessicas idea to ask..so kudos to her.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
